CHICAGO: Chicago-based U.S. fast food chain giant McDonald’s has announced it is halting plans to reopen its dining rooms for 21 days based on the fact that COVID-19 infections increased by 65 percent over the last two weeks and confirmed cases spiked in 32 U.S. states in the last seven days. In a letter signed by McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger and National Franchisee Leadership Alliance Chair Mark Salebra, the fast food giant is advising operators that have already reopened to review local and state guidance to determine whether they should revert to a takeout, delivery and drive-thru model, local media reported. About 2,200 McDonald’s dining rooms, or 15 percent of its U.S. restaurants, are currently open. Meanwhile, NPC International, the biggest U.S. franchisee of Pizza Hut, has filed for bankruptcy. The company operates more than 1,200 Pizza Huts and nearly 400 Wendy’s restaurants. TLTP
